My Home, Florence

I live in a pretty small town in-between Phoenix and Tucson. There isn’t much to do here, no theatres, bowling alleys or major grocery stores. We have two stoplights, two Circle K’s and many, many bars. Despite the lack of normal city places, I would not have changed the place where I grew up.

There is no other place with the safety and comfort of Florence. It’s not a big deal to leave your vehicle or doors unlocked. Everyone knows everyone and despite small town gossip, you always have a sense of security.

My favorite thing about Florence is the smell ofrain during monsoon season. Even though we get very little, I always look south during the summer months to see if a storm is on its way. I love the lightning, thunder and occasional downpour only Arizona has to offer. The smell is invigorating and gives me a rush of adrenaline and excitement. I have lived in Chandler and the smell of wet pavement just doesn’t do it for me like the smell of damp desert dirt and creosote bushes. I love the rain, and it just isn’t the same anywhere but home. It is by far my favorite thing about Florence!

The friends I have made in our small school are still some of the most important people in my life. I met my husband there. I knew everyone I graduated with and remained close with many after graduation. The friendships I have made in my hometown contribute to the feeling I have for her. Everyone is close and they all look out for one another. It’s great.

Another great thing about Florence is the history here. There are many buildings on the National Historic Registry. Many of the old buildings are still open and tell the stories of the years through their appearance. From the sign at town limits that says “Welcome to Historic Florence” to the stories told from the gray haired older generations, history is written all over our town.

We also have something that no other town has to offer, Country Thunder! Every year a three or four day festival of country superstars, karaoke contests and just a lot of country fun arrives and thousands of people show up to the middle of the desert to take part. Stars like Big and Rich, Brooks and Dunn and even Larry the Cable Guy have been some of the lucky stars to visit us here in Florence.

Even though there isn’t a lot here, there is enough to keep me coming back to the only place that gives me the feeling of comfort and security that Florence has to offer. It is a great place to raise children and retire. I would recommend Florence to anyone looking to get a way from the noise and retreat to a place with the security Florence has to offer.

Coolidge Is My Home

As a little girl, growing up I didn't come from a wealthy family and I didn't live in a big house with a white picket fence. However, I probably had more fun than the kids who did! I had advantages that other kids didn't have and certainly more than what my own children have. The memories I have as a child will be held deep in my heart throughout my life.

Born and raised in Coolidge, Arizona may not sound like much for most people and for people from the “big city” it probably sounds down right boring! Growing up in Coolidge had a few downsides. It was always a challenge when going to a birthday party to find a card or gift without giving something that ten other people weren't giving. If it wasn't for Sprouse Reitz and Yellow Front, residents of Coolidge would have to drive 30 minutes to Casa Grande to do shopping.

Shopping never was a big deal for me. I had plenty to do to keep me busy. Living in a small neighborhood where three houses in a row all belonged to my family was great. Not too many kids today can say that they live next door to their grandma and grandpa and next door to them is their great grandma. I was fortunate to have acres and pastures to run and play. Horses, cows, chickens, pigs, you name it we had it. Along with all of that, we had irrigation ditches and yards full of water to run and play in.

In the summer when school was out, I was so fortunate that my grandparents owned a cabin in Lakeside where we would go to escape the heat. Nothing beats spending the summer fishing and relaxing in the cool country. I always thought I had the best of both worlds.

Arizona is full of small towns and great getaways. An Arizona native, a small town Coolidge girl born and raised. Now my four children are sharing some of the same treasures that Coolidge offered me. Recently moving 15 minutes outside of Coolidge to Florence, my kids still attend the Coolidge School District and enjoy many of the same things that I enjoyed as a child. In addition, when it gets to hot in the summer I take my kids to the cool country in the White Mountains to enjoy a little piece of my own history.

It's always nice to go on the short vacations to the beach or Disneyland but there's no place like home...Coolidge, Arizona.

Grand Canyon to South Tucson

How can one define home? Is it a house or where the family is? Is it where one feels the most comfortable or happy? Is it the place that one would call their favorite? To me a home is comprised of all of these elements and for me Arizona is all of these things. Arizona is where I was born, and raised, and now where I choose to live as a young adult. It is where I intend upon settling one day. I cannot imagine living anywhere else permanently and it has shaped who I am today. Within Arizona there are so many places that I consider home, I don’t know how I would choose just one town. Would it be the town where I was born, Scottsdale, or the town where I lived for many years, Flagstaff? Perhaps it is where I live now, Tucson, or even the Grand Canyon where I have spent much of my time. There is nowhere in Arizona that is not my home.

I was born in Scottsdale, AZ and will always consider it to be home. Many family members live there; also, it is where I spent my child hood. I have memories of playing in a restaurant owned by the family of one of my father’s cousins, Los Olivos, which is a historic part of the Scottsdale area. After living in Scottsdale, I moved to Colorado Springs, but my parents couldn’t be out of Arizona for too long and when I was 12 we moved back to Arizona, this time to Flagstaff.

I feel incredibly gifted to have been able to grow up in such a safe and beautiful community and anyone would be lucky to do the same. Not only is it one of the most beautiful places on earth, but also it offers a perfect small town life. I went to a small art high school and there is nothing like getting out of class and looking up at the San Francisco Peaks capped with snow and covered in pine trees, when you know that just a few miles away is an equally magnificent, but completely different, place, the Sonoran Desert.

Flagstaff is my home, not only because my house is there, where my parents continue to live, but also because it truly shaped who I am today. It has an incredible community feel, which taught me to invest myself in my community through service and participation. All my life I felt that I could walk around anywhere, at anytime and I was safe; I wasn’t scared of being harassed by many of the issues that plague larger cities. I was able to go downtown and be certain that I would see friends, as well as participate in community activities such as Salsa Dancing on the Square, Movies on the Square and the Friday Night Art Walk. It was a great feeling to know that one could go to these events and truly bond with their community in a way that would be impossible in a larger town. Heritage Square in downtown Flagstaff is really the strong heart of a city that has a strong community spirit to match. I have rarely felt more at home than with my friends at a “Mercy Fall” concert just hanging out down town and enjoying the music.

There is another place, though, that I discovered while living in Flagstaff and that is the Grand Canyon. My discovery of it was an accident at best. My first trip down the Colorado River was with a program based out of Flagstaff called Grand Canyon Youth. A local rafting company had had a cancellation and offered the trip to GCY, who in turn offered to take the Student Council from my school. We had about two weeks to decide if we wanted to go and then prepare for the trip. I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity because it was like “love at first sight” for me. I have now done four trips with the program, as well as many, many service learning hours and plan to get my river guide license within the next year. The feeling one gets at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, in one of our nation’s natural wonders, in that isolation, is incredibly powerful, and this place is right in Flagstaff’s back yard. This is just another reason that Flagstaff is my home; it is truly surrounded by beauty, in as little as five minutes to two hours one finds amazing places, ranging from Oak Creek Canyon to Mt. Elden.

When it was time for me to decide where I wanted to go to college, the decision was very difficult. In then end, however, I decided to come to the University of Arizona in Tucson. At first, I regretted the decision, because many out of state schools had recruited me, but after completing a year here, and visiting schools on the east coast I realized that this was the best decision. The University of Arizona is a really good school, and the opportunities that I have been offered here are equal to those one could receive at any school on the east coast.

Tucson has become another part of Arizona that is my home. It is a bigger city, but it has the feeling of a small town, with a rich history. When I am at work, school or participating in other activities I feel that strong sense of community that permeates Tucson, similar to the one I feel in Flagstaff. I think that people here have a real sense of pride and attachment to their community. It is filled with historic neighborhoods, not to mention the natural wonders that are offered by the Sonoran Desert, as well as a very strong sense of diverse cultures that manifest themselves in activities such as creative dance groups and local bands.

Another reason that I feel Tucson has become part of my home is that as everywhere that I have lived I have invested myself in the community by doing community service. It is different than anywhere else, however, because here I really made my own life and found my own niche, while before I was living where my parents chose and my activities were somewhat dictated by them. I have a great pride in my life here because I feel that I got out on my own and continued to live the effective life style that I led throughout high school.

From the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, to South Tucson I feel Arizona is my home. All of my life here I have been surrounded by strong communities, natural wonders and cultural opportunities that many people have never gotten to experience. Everything that I love is here, from my family, to my friends, from my school to my job, from dancing to spending time in nature, I can do everything that I am passionate about while living in small towns, with strong communities, but have many of the same opportunities that one would find in a big city. Arizona is my home because it is what made me the person that I am today.

Advantages and Disadvantages

I have always heard a Spanish saying that says, “A parent is not that who engenders you, but the one who up brings you.” I am Mexican born, but consider myself an Arizonan because I have lived here most of my life. I have always called Phoenix my home because this is where I went to school, made friends, visited its beautiful different places, where I have my immediate family, grew up and where I feel secure and comfortable, that is my definition of a home. This place opened its doors for my siblings and me to have a free public school education and a place that made me who I am now.

Every city has its advantages and disadvantages. I believe that by having those advantages and disadvantages, one can choose what one learns and who one is, sometimes for the better, and unfortunately, sometimes for the worst. In my case, Arizona has taught me how appreciative I am for the free books and the public education I got up until my high school years. Thanks to all of the benefits that I was offered through my community, I feel the responsibility to pay back for the education I received. I remember being sixteen-years-old and getting my first job and my father telling me, “You are lucky to be in this city, Phoenix has great opportunities for you in your future and your education goals, this is only the beginning.” My father was right about Arizona. He brought his family here for a better future, to give us what he never had in Mexico.
I have a lot to thank this state. Arizona has given me the opportunity to succeed in life and get a higher education, the education my parents have always wanted us to have, and unfortunately, the one they never had. Phoenix has given me the opportunity to go to college and advance my education. My life has been very much impacted by my past teachers and their excellent influence as I grew up as well. I could not find a better way to pay back to my community. In December of 2006, I will finally be honored with my Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. I have struggled to get this far throughout many semesters at Phoenix Community College with many working hours to be able to pay for my education.

My goal is to acquire my Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education at the Arizona State University located at the West Campus. This is the greatest opportunity I will have to give back to my community, to my city, and to Arizona. Nowadays, it seems that people do not care too much for our future generations and those same people do not see that many of our children have some type of disability when it relates to education. I strongly believe that we need more teachers in the profession education, but mostly, in special education. One of the major reasons why I chose to become a teacher is because I am a caring and gratified person that has taken every opportunity possible to succeed in life, and this state has given me that, and much more. Other reasons for my career choice are the attributes I would bring to this career and because of many teachers’ influences in my life. As a Sophomore in high school I remember exactly what Ms. Dobbs wrote on my yearbook that year, and it said the following, “Vianca, I totally admire you! You have a great start on becoming an amazing woman.” Reading this from a professor that I truly admired and who made me feel important and admired as well, made me feel grateful for having met so many people that have changed my life for the better.

Arizona has given me the chance to meet amazing people who have treated me greatly, and that is something I am appreciative of. This state has giving me so much, not only by giving me so many opportunities in life, but by simply making me feel like this is my home, my true and only home. Being an Arizonan is not only for those who were born here. To me, being an Arizonan is someone who appreciates this splendid place, its people, its opportunities and a whole life full of memories that are part of one’s life forever. Calling Arizona my home is a sentiment I truly have in my heart. All I ever needed to call Arizona my home was my loving family, the incredible people I have met here, and the remarkable opportunities to succeed in life I have been given. I am thankful to Arizona because it is the place I call home, but also because this state has made me the capable, honest, and respectable person that I am today.

New Changes

Some people are lucky enough to be born in the right place at the right time. Others, like me, have to find their way home.

I was born early, two weeks before I was expected, on a cold afternoon in a cold state. My father’s family had lived in Northern California for generations, putting roots straight down like trees. My mother’s folk were flighty people, they had come from Kentucky, but it wasn’t long before they migrated again, this time to a place that I had heard of only in Snoopy cartoons: the Sonoran Desert. My grandparents were called snowbirds the first time they went, the second time, they called Arizona home.

My mom got handwritten letters in the mail, pages and pages wrapped around photographs of my grandparents in front of innumerable cacti in an oddly sunny land. My sister and I received postcards of starkly red mountains, impossibly blue skies, and fiercely alien cacti with impossibly beautiful flowers. Even on the coldest days, when my mom had to run to the mailbox huddled under her pink flowered raincoat, I remember the postcards being warm to the touch.

The first time we visited, we drove. We went down the highway in the night, a tiny minivan spaceship on the surface of the Earth, following the birds south. My mother taped a thermometer to the dashboard, and we watched the red mercury rise like an odometer as it slowly grew warm, like driving into the sun.

We visited twice more before my dad found a job in Phoenix. The date he gave us was right before my eighth birthday. I wasn’t sure how to explain to my best friend that the next time I went to Arizona, I wouldn’t be coming back. My mom helped me write cards with my new address to give to my classmates, and I watched from my bedroom window as my dad, in an effort to make our house more appealing to buyers, chopped down the tree in our front yard.

It wasn’t raining the last time we pulled out of our driveway, but I was crying so hard I wouldn’t have noticed anyway. Wherever we lived after this, I thought, it would only be a place. It wouldn’t be familiar, or comforting, or welcoming. I would never be at home again.

The apartment we moved into was a cramped and crowded affair, a place intended more for newlyweds and persistent bachelors than a family of four. My sister and I butted heads sharing a room for the first time, and my mother bruised her elbows adjusting to our tiny nook of a kitchen. Used to an endless backyard, I scuffed my toes on the tiny patio and seethed. Could I really live here? I had to wear sunscreen every day, even though it was winter. We had to shake our shoes out before putting them on, in case of scorpions.

Our reprieve came every weekend, when we drove from Phoenix to Chandler, to visit my grandparents and stretch our cramped limbs. My parents could sit at the table without jostling elbows while my sister and I ran and ran and ran around the backyard.

We had started looking at model houses almost before we unpacked our apartment. Our real estate agent, Jim, was the first person we met. He came every other week, bringing folders thick with paper and two packs of gum in my favorite flavor. Mute with homesickness, I resented any kindness, and turned my nose up at attempts to win me over. At every open house we visited, every housing development we toured, I stubbed up to the point where I could hardly be coaxed over the threshold. None of these houses were my home, and I wanted nothing to do with them.

Eventually, it got to the point where my parents wanted nothing to do with me in such a state, and gratefully left me sulking on the driveway while they opened kitchen cabinets and divided square footage. Jim had quit smoking years ago, but he still felt the need to take “no-cigarette breaks,” as he called them, in which he would step outside for a spell and simply breathe deeply. During one such break, while I was standing at the edge of the sidewalk, too proud to cry and too upset to hide it, he remarked to me that, as this was going to be my house too, I ought to put in my say about it.

I can’t say it made me miss my old home any less, or made me love Arizona any more, but I did realize, for the first time, that from now on, I belonged here. Right before my parents bought our new house, we stood in a circle on the driveway and when it came to me, I was the fourth person to say “yes.”

A week before we were supposed to move in, my dad got a call from his sister: their mother had had a heart attack, and we needed to come. My dad bundled my mother, sister, and I onto a plane to California with plans to follow as soon as he could. It was raining when we landed, and perhaps that was why nothing looked familiar. California from the inside of a taxi looked even less familiar, and by the time we arrived at the hospital, I was bewildered. The next three days were a blur of hospital and hotel. I offered to read to my grandma, but she wanted to hear about me: did I know what school I was going to next fall? What color had I decided to paint my new room? By the time the doctors decided she was going to fine, she and I had decided on a pale mint green; perfect, she said, a color for a young lady to grow up to.

We left the day she checked out. I wanted to stay longer, but she consoled me with a promise to visit me as soon as I had finished painting. I made her pinky swear, and then, for the first time, I went home to Arizona.

Natural Beauty of Arizona

Hidden amidst an enormous, dry desert is a place of beauty. A place with the power to skip heartbeats, to inspire youth, and to leave viewers speechless. The magnificent display of nature’s masterpiece comes to life in the most unlikely region imaginable – Arizona. To the north lies the majestic Grand Canyon, concealed from the scorching desert heat. Surrounded by voracious vultures and crouching cacti, the Grand Canyon is indubitably a wonder of the world. I have hiked to Phantom Ranch, Havasu Falls, and along the North and South Rims numerous times. Each time I discover something new, something more exciting than before: the refreshing vanilla scent of ponderosa pines, a chipmunk scampering underground at the sound of my intruding feet, the gentle descent of snowflakes brushing against my skin. True, the Grand Canyon serves as a genuine trademark to Arizona, but how many people know of the exotic hummingbirds at Ramsey Canyon, the native palm trees in the Kofa Mountains, or the peaceful woods of Portal? My passion for the natural beauty of Arizona has taken me to every corner of the state. The amazing presence of life in such an arid climate shows that Arizona is truly a unique state.

An important aspect that has kept Arizona so beautiful lies within its history. Long before industrialized cities and cement roads, Native Americans were the sole inhabitants of the state. The Anasazi Indians resided in cliff dwellings in Eastern Arizona and mysteriously disappeared around 1300. Their unique mountainous community and impressive survival are important cultural facts that bring a powerful, rich tradition to the state of Arizona. A number of other Native American tribes lived throughout the state, but it wasn’t until 1871 that white men settled in Arizona. They relied on the Colorado River not only as a water source, but they also began mining for copper and silver. Copper mining was extremely successful in Arizona, and quickly became the nation’s leading producer of the mineral. The copper star in the center of the state flag also symbolizes the significance of copper. Several other symbols have importance to Arizona, each with an important and unique history. I am a proud citizen of Arizona and believe that everyone should appreciate the history of the place they call home.

Arizona’s landscape is another part of the state’s positive aspects. Beyond the boundaries of nature, a sense of community is present within Phoenix city life. Also known as the Valley of the Sun, Phoenix is the home to many benevolent neighborhoods. The neighborhood I grew up in eighteen years ago serves as a perfect example of the exceptional society in Phoenix. During my childhood, I had a network of friends on my block, all of whom were raised to respect, appreciate, and serve the community. Our families frequently attended fundraisers, such as the annual Back to School Clothing Drive, in which we stuffed backpacks with school and hygiene supplies for impoverished children. Another similar experience was the Christmas Shoe Box Event. We filled shoeboxes up with gifts for children in Papua New Guinea, Mexico, and Serbia. As I grew into a young adult, these traditions did not end; they simply took on different forms.

As a Boy Scout, I achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. I taught disabled schoolchildren how to play musical instruments and provided storage units as well. I raised the funds through car washes and lead a group of 30 Scouts in the process. The Scouts, who ranged from seniors in high school to fresh, new 6th graders, were incredible to watch. They were kind and patient with the children, and they made me think how special my community really is. The staff at the school was tremendously grateful, and I believe that even one helpful deed like my Eagle Project can go a long way, because there are always people in need and improvements to make in a community.

My community goes above and beyond the call of duty, making my town a wonderful place to live. Everyday in the paper, I read about the generous acts of people enhancing the city. Volunteering is a common occurrence in my community. From high school fundraisers to Christmas caroling to repairing nature trails, Arizona is a unique state, serving as a home to many compassionate citizens. I know that no matter where my life takes me, or where I end up, I will always remember my true home: Arizona.

Limitless

Some may consider Arizona to be a barren desert wasteland, but as I drive on the freeway and head towards down town Phoenix, I see something different; I see life. There are lights glistening in the landscape, beautiful mountains with hues of purple from the setting sun, and the faint smell of a creosote tree after a light rain. These are just a few things that make Arizona home to me and to the hundreds of people that are settling in this great state every day.

Arizona first became a state February 14, 1912. It has grown immensely since then. In fact, Phoenix is now the fastest growing metropolitan area in the United States and is expected to take over Philadelphia as the third largest city within the next five years. Yet, because of Arizona’s vastness, it hardly seems like there are that many people here at all; unless you are on the freeway during rush hour. Phoenix has many parks and mountain reserves that are mostly within a 10-15 minute drive, and many find that a great way to escape the hectic everyday life. On these mountains, it is possible to see the entire city and it is honestly breathtaking. It is possible to see millions of little houses scattered all around, golf courses with their green grass and blue man-made ponds, and on a clear day you can even make out the San Francisco Peaks. This massive city seems like a little village in a secret valley, and it is easy to get lost in the moment when you realize just how small you are compared to this grand place you live in.

There are many other recreational things to do in Arizona. Sedona, Payson and Flagstaff are commonly known as the places to go for a good outdoor adventure. There are literally hundreds of hiking trails and camping sites, which attract enthusiasts with the offer of cooler weather and amazing scenery. In the winter, the snow in the northern parts of Arizona adds the fun of skiing to any winter vacation, and provides a beautiful view of the snow capped mountains for those still in the valley. The weather is great all year round; as long as you’re conditioned to it. The spring and fall seasons provide 75-85 degree weather that is enjoyed by natives and tourists alike. Not too many leaves change colors and fall off the trees before the winter season begins, but the blooms in spring more than make up for it. Wild flowers and planted gardens bloom colors and scents in abundance. The bunnies jet across parks and front lawns along with the array of birds chirping from Palo Verde trees. Even the summers host a variety of activities such as lounging by the pool, tubing down the Salt River, and night barbeques in the back yard.

The city is the core of Arizona with its busy nightlife and leisurely day atmosphere. I enjoy going to Chase Field and getting a hot dog and enjoying a warm and sunny game. It doesn’t matter who the Diamondbacks are playing because they are the home team and they have some pretty dedicated fans. Shopping is even an adventure with luxurious malls like Scottsdale Fashion Square or and outdoor shopping districts such as Desert Ridge. Either provides retail therapy to those who need it. A fun weekend adventure would be one of the many water parks that can be found in Phoenix. Gathering a group of friends to pile into a van and spending the day in the lazy river or down one of the many waters slides is a common thing to do in Arizona summers. At night, the temperature cools down, but Phoenix is still going strong. Phoenix has many concert arenas and always seems to have some singer putting on a good show. Sporting events are also very common and exciting to attend because of the support Arizona has for its home teams. If you don’t believe me, try going to a Suns game. The movie theater is always packed on a Friday night and the local In and Out is sure to be a hang out for those getting out of their movies.

Arizona has been my home for most of the 18 years of my life. I am the only native Arizonan in my family and I couldn’t be more proud to exclaim it. Most people wonder why I am so dedicated to this state and what is has to offer, and my reply to them is because it is limitless. Whatever you could want, Arizona has it for you. I’ve vacationed at many other states across the country and my conclusion is that while other states are nice to visit, Arizona is where I want to live.

Diamond In The Rough

It is said that “home is where the heart is,” and I never truly understood this quote until I moved to Arizona. My family moved several different times, before finding the place we knew, and felt would be our home for the rest of our lives. Whenever we moved, we lost intimacy with the land and the house. A house was just a house. I have now lived in Arizona for 8 years and it has become my home. My heart now resides in Arizona. My soul belongs to the warm summer days, kindling my passion of education, culture, and beauty.

It is in Arizona where I met the professor that inspired my character and educational beliefs. On the first day of school, this wise professor quoted Franklin Delano Roosevelt, “It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat." This is my core belief of education. I could have possibly received a 4.0 GPA, however I wanted to challenge myself, and I wanted to expand the knowledge in my mind. I took classes determined on what I would learn not how many ranking points it would give me. I took a full schedule my senior year in hope that I would learn something new everyday. In Arizona, the professors are determined to help all students learn, blind to race, religion, or intelligence. Teaching is not just a job, but also an art, and no one knows this better than the teachers of Arizona do.

Arizona flourishes with culture. Most of Arizona was received in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo after the Mexican-American War. The sweetheart state was admitted into the Union February 14, 1912. Arizona is known for its warm summers and mild winters. The culture of Arizona is also very diverse, there are several Native American tribes scattered throughout the state. The Native Americans bring a sense of tradition, and originality that not many other states have. The art and jewelry brought by the Native Americans add an originality that flourishes in Arizona. We also have an eccentric Sheriff Joe that is known throughout the world for his creative prison tactics.

Arizona has a unique beauty, not trees, water, or forests, however a desert wonderland filled with a plethora of cacti and a piercing scar, piercing through Arizona. Better known as the Grand Canyon; we are proud to call these unique aspects our own. The beauty of Arizona is hard to deny. With several National parks, it isn’t hard to see the beauty of Arizona.

Arizona is a diamond in the rough, and not many have noticed its unique beauty, or experienced it proliferating education system. I have however, and from my first hand experience, I am proud to call myself an Arizonian.